Obama names Jodi Gillette to Native American post

WASHINGTON — President Barack Obama has named a member of the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe to serve as his senior policy adviser for Native American affairs.

Obama on Friday announced the appointment of Jodi Gillette to advise him on Native American issues on the White House Domestic Policy Council. Gillette previously worked on Indian issues at the Interior Department.

Obama says Gillette has been a key member of his administration’s efforts in Indian Country. He says she’ll continue to ensure that Native American issues will have a seat at the table.

Gillette is an enrolled member of the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe, in North Dakota and South Dakota. She holds degrees from Dartmouth College and the University of Minnesota.